Springfield Missouri - Queen City of the Ozarks

Springfield, Missouri

By 1923, there were 148 miles of street in the city, 60 of which were paved. So, when John T. Woodruff, of Springfield, along with Cyrus Avery of Tulsa, Oklahoma began to suggest a transcontinental highway, Springfield was a logical choice along the path of what would soon become Route 66. Both Woodruff and Avery worked tirelessly for a highway that would carry America's new "Mobility Nobility" from Chicago, Illinois all the way to Los Angeles, California. Persistence prevailed and Route 66 finally became a reality in 1926. Springfield became an important transportation hub, which further aided its population and economic growth.

John Thomas Woodruff, was not only the Missouri partner promoting Route 66, but an infallible businessman and promoter of all types of transportation throughout Missouri.

John T. Woodruff

John T. Woodruff founded Route 66 along with

Cyrus Avery of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Photo courtesy Springfield-Greene County Library

An attorney for the Frisco Railroad in Springfield, he was largely responsible for the development of other businesses in the burgeoning city, as well as the hospital, fairgrounds, and golf course. He also influenced the developments of Powersite, Norfork, and Bagnell Dams. Ever the builder he also constructed the Woodruff business building which still stands today, as well as the Sansone, Colonial, and Kentwood Arms hotels. Only the Kentwood Arms, built in 1926, remains. Today the building is owned by Southwest Missouri State University and used as a dormitory called Kentwood Hall.

When the Mother Road came through, all manner of motor courts, gas stations, diners and cafes were built to service the many travelers. Billboards and neon once dotted the landscape.

The Kentwood Hotel built in 1926 by John T.

Woodruff is now a dormitory for MSU.

By 1940, the population of the city had reached over 60,000. Spurred by rapid industrial growth over the next twenty years, Springfield’s population increased dramatically, resulting in a of 100,000 by 1960.

Though Springfield is a modern city today, Route 66 once passed through it’s very heart. Like many cities that have seen immense growth since the advent of the Mother Road, you sometimes have to keep a sharp eye out to find evidence of the old highway.

To travel the route through Springfield, exit I-44 at Kearney Street and head west to Glenstone, where you will turn south to St. Louis Street. Continuing your journey, you will soon reach the town square, where you will veer to the right to get on College Street to the Chestnut Expressway, winding up on Missouri Highway 266.

The Rest Haven Court Sign remains to the same

today, February, 2005, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

Your journey through Springfield, will first take you past the site of the long abandoned Sunset Drive-in Theater. Though the drive-in is long gone, the sign still stands. A bit further down the highway, you will see the remains of an old motor court on the north side of the highway, and a few miles beyond, the Rest Haven Court, at 2000 E. Kearney Street, one of the few original Route 66 motels left in Springfield today.

On Glenstone Avenue is one of the original Steak “n” Shakes from 1962, complete with shiny chrome and vintage sign. Also on this street is the Rail Haven Inn at 203 S. Glenstone.

As you continue through Springfield, Route 66 turns onto St. Louis Street, where you'll find yet another old Steak "n" Shake before coming to the downtown Square. Downtown, are many old buildings including the Woodruff Building and the historic Lander's Theater, which is reportedly haunted. The Gillioz Theatre, at 325 Park Central East opened October 12 1926, just one day after Route 66 was named. It was completely renovated in 2006.

As you travel west of the square on the old road you will see the pristine Melinda Court, which continues to serve travelers of the Mother Road today. A bit further along the line is another vintage motel - The Wishing Well Motor Inn.

An interesting note that I made while researching Springfield, is that the city's promotion of Route 66 is minimal, even though one of the Mother Road's founders was a member of their community.

Perhaps this is because there are very few vintage icons left in a city that grew quickly after Route 66 was born, and even faster when it was decommissioned. But still, it was the home to co-founder, John T. Woodruff. While there are two remaining buildings that Woodruff built in Springfield, I could find no mention of them in Springfield's promotions. Unlike Springfield's counterpart of Cy Avery's Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Route 66 is high on its list of tourism promotion, Springfield has seemingly moved on from the past in search of its future.

The Lander's Theater in Springfield, Missouri is

reportedly haunted. Read more by clicking HERE!

Kathy Weiser, February, 2005.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

Today, Springfield is the third largest city in Missouri with more than 150,000 residents. Set in the pristine rolling hills of southwest Missouri, the city has many amenities to offer the visitor including museums, nightlife, culture, history and more.

If you're heading west on the Mother Road, continue your journey onward on a ghost town stretch of the road through Halltown, Paris Junction, and Spencer for more peeks of the vintage road.

©Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated January, 2009

See More Pictures and Springfield Attractions Next Page

Also See:

Haunted Springfield

Wilson Creek & the Bloody Hill Ghosts

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This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

Melinda Court in west Springfield has been a welcome retreat for Route 66 travels for years. February, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

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